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Meadow Spittlebug

Stem and Crown Feeder

Nymphs of the meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (L.), are
small, orange to green insects enclosed in white, frothy, irregular masses 1/2
inch or more in diameter. These sometimes appear on the stems and leaves of
strawberries at about the time of bloom. The insects are known as spittlebugs
because of the peculiar, spittle-like substance with which they cover
themselves. They often are seen in meadows and on plants in uncultivated fields.

Spittlebugs have sharp beaks with which they pierce the stems of plants and
suck the plant juices. The insects first feed at the base of the plants but
later move up to the more tender foliage. The nymph or young stage produces the
frothy material and remains in this protective substance until developing into
the adult stage. The insect overwinters as an egg. Nymphs appear in May or June
and complete their development in 5 to 8 weeks. Egg laying occurs primarily
during September and October. Eggs are inserted into the lower parts of the
strawberry plant. Only one generation appears each year.

Feeding activities of large numbers of these insects cause plants to become
stunted, and berries do not attain full size; however, the greatest impact of
this insect is the spittle masses on the plants, which are very annoying to
strawberry pickers. Weedy fields are more heavily attacked.

Control might be indicated if nymphs (without frothy masses) are present when
the first blossom clusters separate. Spittlebug populations infrequently need
pesticide treatment and should be treated only when there are more than a few
per square feet.